Biblical domesticity



Domesticity 

"home or family life" "life inside a home"

"the atmosphere is one of happy domesticity"


Biblical domesticity

Creating a home were God is the reason for all things done




She watches over the ways of her household 
(Proverbs 31:27)


Homemaking or biblical domesticity is a noble calling that we should feel honoured that we have been given this privilege which allows us to create a beautiful place for our families.  However, homemaking is either glorified as the ultimate womanly calling or hated as a contributor to the suppression of women everywhere.

The funny thing about homemaking — we all need to do it if we choose to live in a home, otherwise we live in a hovel! So whether we like or not, we still need to do it. But — biblical homemaking is different, its done with a different attitude, a different mindset, a different purpose. 


Its done with God at the centre. 


* We need to "build over our homes": Homes don't just create themselves, adding furniture doesn't create a home — it takes more than just hanging pictures on the wall. A home is a place that provide rest for the weary, comforts the soul, energies the body, a place to provide nourishment and warmth and this requires effort and time and it can't be bought with lots of money or found in a vogue magazine. We women have a responsibility of building our home and it requires work, effort, planning, organising, the right attitude and mindset — being idle and lazy will never build a home, living in a muddle will never build a home nor does procrastination. Be the wise women and accept the challenge! The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. (Proverbs 14:1)


* We need to "watch over our homes":  Like the homemaker of Proverbs 31, we too need to watch over our homes and keep an eye out for anything that may require our attention. Our homes are our responsibility and like any good manager, we need to know what is going on, what requires action (is the pantry running low and requires a stock up or does the fridge need a clean) and what might need our scrutiny at a later date (cleaning the oven perhaps or a spring clean). This means we need to be vigilant and watchful as any good manager is of their team. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness(Proverbs 31:27)


* We need to "manage our homes": Paul writes that women are to be managers of their homes, to administrate and guide and to preside over it. Young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands
 (Titus 2: 4-5) 

Have you ever wondered by Paul wrote this? Because the women of Crete were not taking care of their homes or their families as they should have, no, they were not working outside the home either — if these women were living in the 21st century, they would all be down at the coffee shop or at the gym, busy gossiping, perhaps stopping off to have a wine with lunch, lots of laughter, being silly and forgetting to take proper care of their homes and their families. These women were being idle and lazy which lead to gossiping and being a busybody.   And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. (1 Timothy 5:13-14)

Managing our home take time and responsibility and Paul knew that if these women were busy caring for their families and their homes, they would not be sticking their noses in other peoples business! Not much has changed has it — if we are busy and taking care of our families, we too won't have the time to gossip and be idle?! And the consequence of not managing our homes will mean living in mess and chaos which directly affects our families and our own wellbeing.  




* We need to "love our homes": As Elizabeth George says "Love is the world's most powerful motivator. So if you love your home, love being at home, and love managing it, building it, watching over it, and keeping it, then love will conquer all. No task will be be too difficult and no job will be too menial or meaningless."But is is important that the love we are talking about is not the love that idolises and worships our home, but rather a love of doing all things for others and for the Lord. Your task is to create a heaven on earth for those you love — a place with the right atmosphere, feeling and warmth that keeps your family wanting to come back.




Ladies — taking care of our families and our homes is our primary calling, but its important to remember it doesn't mean we can't leave the home or have other interests (as long as they are productive and constructive). Caring for my home doesn't take me all day and I have plenty of time to do other things without neglecting my husband. But for some women, it does take much longer (especially if you have young children and home schooling) and we need to  be understanding to the various family situations, skills and abilities of Christian women.

However you spend your time, make sure that your home and family come first and that the management of your home is not compromised as a result of your activities. It is all about balance.




Home should be the very best place to ever be 

~ Sally Clarkson~




Comments

  1. Why do they call Friday before Easter Good Friday? I do not know or understand the Bible
    yes I have read some of it here and there but what does it mean to know God, How does one know God.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue, I thought I'd answer your questions - I hope you don't mind!
      I'm not entirely sure of the origins of why the Friday before Easter is called "Good Friday" - some people believe it has Catholic origins. It is not a Biblical term at all. Easter is the remembrance of Jesus, God's Son, dying a cruel and harsh death at the hands of angry and jealous men nearly 2000 years ago, and the celebration of Him rising from being dead and living forevermore!

      God sent His Son here to this world for that purpose - so that Jesus could give His life in exchange for ours. Why did He need to do that? The answer to that dates back about 6000 years when God placed the first two people - Adam and Eve - on the earth. Adam and Eve chose to be deceived and sin against God and this put a separation between them and God, and caused death to come on all people who have lived on the earth. This sin and separation from a just and holy God results in a requirement of a punishment. However, the wonderful and best news of all is that when Jesus gave His life, He did so FOR US!

      He took OUR sins and paid for them so that we don't need to pay for them ourselves if we accept Him as our Saviour. You might wonder what I mean by sins... and that's a good question. Some people think sins are only very bad crimes, but the truth is that anything that offends God's holiness is sin and results in death and everlasting punishment for those who reject Jesus - even so-called "white lies", stealing a cookie as a child, or disrespecting our parents - or any number of other wrongdoings committed by children or adults.

      Your other question was how we can know God. We can know God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course we can read about God and Jesus in the Bible, but if we really want to know Him we must ask Him to help us see who He is and know Him personally - and we do this by praying to God from our hearts. Our prayers don't need to follow specific words or formulas - God wants to hear from US, not from a prayer book!

      I would suggest you might want to find a Christian and ask them to help you in person as you try to find answers to your questions. Of course I am willing to answer more questions as well.

      May God bless you as you search for the truth, Clara

      Delete
    2. Thank you for taking time to answer my questions. This has helped.
      Sue

      Delete
    3. Hi Sue - I thank Clara for responding to your questions so beautifully. Knowing God brings me so much comfort, joy and hope - knowing that He is in control of my life and that I am not travelling alone in my journey is such a relief and a huge weight off my shoulders. Even though Christians still suffer sadness and pain and disappointment, having Christ in our lives makes these events much easier to manage and come through. And going through these things makes our faith stronger and draws us closer to God.

      You may be familiar with Psalm 23 - its such a beautiful Psalm to read (like all the other Psalms) - He is with us, even with we walk through the valley of death, He will comfort us, hold us and watch over us.

      The Lord is my shepherd;
      I shall not want.
       
      He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
      He leads me beside the still waters.

      He restores my soul;
      He leads me in the paths of righteousness
      For His name’s sake.

      Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
      I will fear no evil;
      For You are with me;
      Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

      You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
      You anoint my head with oil;
      My cup runs over.

      Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
      All the days of my life;
      And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
      Forever.

      Delete
  2. This is such a good post - and so true! It does take work to make a house into a home, and we have a responsibility as Christian women to give our best and do our best for the Lord and our families. Great reminders!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks :)) Everything requires a certain amount of work, but to really create a family home - it rakes time and effort :)

      Delete
  3. This post is another keeper. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved this Jo and couldn't agree more!

    Thank you for linking up with the Art of Home-Making Mondays each week. You share such a neat variety! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good morning! This is just a little note to let you know that this post has been FEATURED today on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! Thank you for joining us and we would love to have you link up again this week. Love, JES

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a lovely homemakery post! Enjoy your week!


    Please drop by and say hello!
    ஐღLauraღஐ
    Harvest Lane Cottage
    ...doing what I can with what I've got where I am
    on a short shoestring budget!
    ~~~~~

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment